northern bog violet

Viola nephrophylla

characteristics

Unless in flower this low growing plant is easy to miss. Heart shaped leaves with rounded teeth are slightly cupped at the base. Five petalled blue to purple flowers grow singly on stalks rising above the leaves. The dark veins on the lower petals may guide nectar seeking pollinators to a spur on the bottom petal.

habitat

Sedge meadows, roadsides, bogs, pond shores.

uses

A tea used for headaches and sore throats was made from the flowers. Leaves contain high amounts of vitamin C and A.